Stanley Cup Playoffs: Game 7 Ratings Down in Boston, N.Y., But Still Among Best Ever

The Boston Bruins’ historic comeback in Game 7 against the Maple Leafs scored big local numbers, but trailed last year.

Game 7 of the Maple Leafs/Bruins first round Stanley Cup playoff series drew a 16.8 rating on NESN in Boston Monday night, down 14% from Capitals/Bruins last year (19.6), and down 5% from Canadiens/Bruins in 2011 (17.7).

Though down from those previous Game 7s, Monday’s game ranks as the third-highest rated ever on NESN. Prior to 2011, the network’s highest Bruins rating was a 14.1.

In addition, the game also earned the largest television audience in Boston since the February 24 Academy Awards.

In other Game 7 action Monday night, the Rangers’ blowout of the Capitals drew a 4.5 rating on MSG Network in New York — down 22% from Senators/Rangers Game 7 last year (5.7), but still the network’s second-best Rangers rating since 1997.

And they are crying in Toronto – not only Leafs fans because of their unbelievable Game 7 collapse, but at the CBC headquarters too. Their overnight numbers for Games 6 and 7 of the Leafs – Bruins series were a staggering 4.5 million and 5.1 million viewers respectively and remember there are only about 35 million of us up here. The rest of the playoffs won’t come anywhere near those numbers with the Leafs eliminated.